Furniture system

ABSTRACT

A furniture system, including: a first furniture body portion mountable to a wall and having a depth; a panel having a first edge, an opposed second edge, and opposed side edges, the panel pivotably connected to the first furniture body portion at or adjacent the first edge; and at least two legs pivotably connected to respective side edges of the panel, at, towards or adjacent the second edge; wherein the at least two legs includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein each of the first and second legs includes a connecting portion at a first end of each respective leg configured to connect to the panel, and a foot portion extending inwardly from a second end of each respective leg substantially orthogonal thereto; wherein the foot portion of the first leg and the foot portion of the second leg are connected by a bridging portion extending therebetween; wherein, in a stowed configuration, the foot portion of each leg is located underneath the first furniture body portion; wherein, in an operative configuration, the panel extends away from the first furniture body portion and is supported above ground by the at least two legs, and, in a stowed configuration, the panel and the at least two legs are retracted towards the first furniture body portion whereby the at least two legs are positioned adjacent the side edges of the panel and the foot portion of each leg is located underneath the first furniture body portion.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a furniture system, and more particularly a furniture system that can be moved between different configurations in order to consume less space and/or to serve multiple purposes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Traditionally, items of furniture have been designed and manufactured to support various human activities, such as for seating, eating, and sleeping. Certain types of furniture can also be used to hold or store items, e.g. cupboards and shelves. Ultimately, these items of furniture will consume space, whether it be floor space or wall space. Depending on the setting, the amount of space available to accommodate items of furniture can be limited.

Given the space limitations often faced in some home or office spaces, it has become customary to design items of furniture that are capable of serving multiple purposes or for the items of furniture to be convertible between different configurations in order to limit the amount of space consumed by the item of furniture. A single item of furniture capable of fulfilling multiple purposes will in some cases be more desirable than a furniture item that cannot, particularly if the single item of furniture consumes less space than the individual items of furniture needed to fulfil the multiple purposes. Sofa-beds are one example of such an item of furniture.

However, it is not often that people make furniture choices based solely on conserving space. People also consider functionality and aesthetics when considering whether a furniture item is worth purchasing. If a person wants a conventional work surface for example, they will seek to acquire a table or desk. A person may acquire a particular furniture item because it matches the interior design of a room or because it is pleasing on the eye.

Circumstances can also often drive the need for items of furniture. For example, it is becoming more common for people to work from home, particularly in view of health concerns associated with being around large groups of people, such as in an office setting.

It is therefore desirable to provide a furniture system that offers an alternative to current furniture systems.

Reference to any prior art in the specification is not an acknowledgment or suggestion that this prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in any jurisdiction or that this prior art could reasonably be expected to be understood, regarded as relevant, and/or combined with other pieces of prior art by a skilled person in the art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, in one aspect the present invention provides a furniture system, including:

a first furniture body portion mountable to a wall and having a depth;

a panel having a first edge, an opposed second edge, and opposed side edges, the panel pivotably connected to the first furniture body portion at or adjacent the first edge; and

at least two legs pivotably connected to respective side edges of the panel, at, towards or adjacent the second edge;

wherein, in an operative configuration, the panel extends away from the first furniture body portion and is supported above ground by the at least two legs, and, in a stowed configuration, the panel and the at least two legs are retracted towards the first furniture body portion whereby the at least two legs are positioned adjacent the side edges of the panel.

It will be appreciated that depending on the configuration of the panel, the first edge may be a lower edge and the second edge may be an upper edge, or the first edge may be a rear edge and the second edge may be a front edge.

Advantageously, by having the at least two legs adjacent the side edges of the panel in the stowed configuration, the overall space consumed by the furniture system can be reduced. Further, the furniture system of the present invention may serve different purposes depending on whether it is placed in the operative configuration or the stowed configuration.

In one embodiment, in the stowed configuration, the panel is in an upright orientation, substantially parallel with the wall, and, in the operative configuration, the panel extends substantially orthogonal to the wall. In the operative configuration, the legs may sit perpendicular to the panel. In the operative configuration, the panel is preferably configured to form a desk top. Thus, in one example, a user may utilise the desk top when conducting some work, and once completed, place the furniture system in the stowed configuration, with the desk top retracted towards the first furniture body portion.

In some embodiments, in the stowed configuration, the at least two legs and the panel do not substantially extend beyond the depth of the first furniture body portion. At least one of the panel and the legs may sit within the depth of the first furniture body portion.

In the stowed configuration, the at least two legs and the panel may be located within a width of the first furniture body portion.

In one embodiment, moving the furniture system from the operative configuration to the stowed configuration involves pivoting the panel in a first rotational direction and the legs in a second rotational direction, wherein the first and second rotational directions are different. For example, the first rotational direction may be an anticlockwise direction, and the second rotational direction may be a clockwise direction.

In certain embodiments, moving the furniture system from the stowed configuration to the operative configuration involves pivoting the panel in a third rotational direction and the legs in a fourth rotational direction, wherein the third and fourth rotational directions are different. Preferably, the first and fourth directions are the same, and the second and third directions are the same.

The first furniture body portion may include a pair of opposing side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall, the walls collectively defining a space configured to at least partially receive therein the panel and the at least two legs in the stowed configuration. In one embodiment, the bottom wall of the first furniture body portion has a depth less than a depth of the top wall, thereby defining a volume, which is at least a portion of the defined space configured to receive therein the panel and each of the at least two legs, in the stowed configuration, such that the panel and legs do not extend substantially beyond the depth of the furniture body.

In a stowed configuration, the panel and the at least two legs may be positioned between the side walls of the first furniture body portion.

The panel can be pivotally connectable to the first furniture body portion by a hinged connection.

In some embodiments, the furniture system includes two distinct legs. In other embodiments, the two legs may be connected by a bridging portion, thereby forming a unitary member. The unitary member may be an assembly of parts, or a single discrete manufactured member.

In one embodiment, each of the two legs includes a connecting portion at a first end of the leg configured to connect to the panel, and a foot portion extending inwardly from a second end of the leg substantially orthogonal thereto. In a stowed configuration, the foot portion of each leg may be located underneath the first furniture body portion. The foot portion of each respective leg may be connected together by the bridging portion.

In one embodiment, the furniture system includes a retainer configured to retain the panel in an upright orientation in the stowed configuration. In one embodiment, the retainer includes at least one strap, the at least one strap having a first end connectable to the first furniture body portion and a second end connectable to the panel. It will be appreciated that the retainer may be any suitable fastening means, for example a magnet, a pivotable latch or press studs etc.

In some embodiments, the panel has a planar front surface as viewed in the stowed configuration. The panel may also have a planar rear surface as viewed in the stowed configuration.

In some embodiments, the first furniture body portion includes one or more partition walls disposed between the other walls of the first furniture body portion, thereby defining a plurality of compartments.

In one embodiment, the furniture system includes a second furniture body portion mountable to the wall, below the first furniture body portion. The second furniture body portion may have a depth, wherein the depth of the second furniture body portion is less than the depth of the first furniture body portion. Preferably, the second furniture body portion is in fixed relation to the first furniture body portion. In such an arrangement, in the stowed configuration, the at least two legs may be disposed in front of the second furniture body portion and the foot portion of each of the legs may be disposed underneath the second furniture body portion.

It will be appreciated that various independent features of the furniture system have been outlined above, but it is envisaged that any combination of individual features may be incorporated into the furniture system of the present invention.

In another aspect, the present invention provides a furniture system, including:

a first furniture body portion mountable to a wall and having a depth;

a panel having a first edge, an opposed second edge, and opposed side edges, the panel pivotably connected to the first furniture body portion at or adjacent the first edge; and

at least two legs pivotably connected to respective side edges of the panel, at, towards or adjacent the second edge;

wherein the at least two legs includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein each of the first and second legs includes a connecting portion at a first end of each respective leg configured to connect to the panel, and a foot portion extending inwardly from a second end of each respective leg substantially orthogonal thereto;

wherein the foot portion of the first leg and the foot portion of the second leg are connected by a bridging portion extending therebetween;

wherein, in a stowed configuration, the foot portion of each leg is located underneath the first furniture body portion;

wherein, in an operative configuration, the panel extends away from the first furniture body portion and is supported above ground by the at least two legs, and, in a stowed configuration, the panel and the at least two legs are retracted towards the first furniture body portion whereby the at least two legs are positioned adjacent the side edges of the panel and the foot portion of each leg is located underneath the first furniture body portion.

It will be appreciated that features disclosed with respect to the earlier aspect of the invention are also applicable with respect to the above aspect of the invention, including different combinations of features disclosed.

As used herein, except where the context requires otherwise, the term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising”, “comprises” and “comprised”, are not intended to exclude further additives, components, integers or steps.

Further aspects of the present invention and further embodiments of the aspects described in the preceding paragraphs will become apparent from the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a furniture system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the furniture system being in the stowed configuration;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the furniture system of FIG. 1 (omitting a lower shelving unit thereof for clarity), the furniture system being in the operative configuration;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a furniture system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the furniture system being in the operative configuration;

FIG. 4 is a side view of the furniture system of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the furniture system of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 and 2 show a furniture system 10 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows furniture system 10 in a stowed configuration, whereas FIG. 2 shows furniture system 10 in an operative configuration. Furniture system 10 is configured to fulfil two main purposes depending on which configuration it is placed in at a given time. In the stowed configuration of FIG. 1, furniture system 10 acts as a shelving system, enabling an end user to hold or store various items for decorative or practical needs. In the operative configuration of FIG. 2, furniture system 10 acts as a work station as will be described in greater detail below. It will be understood that relative and directional references used herein will be made with respect to the configuration and orientation of the furniture system 10 as shown in FIG. 1 (in the stowed configuration).

Furniture system 10 includes a first shelving unit 20 mounted to vertical wall 12. Brackets or other mounting means can be utilised to fix the shelving unit 20 to a wall 12, as is conventional in the art. The shelving unit 20 includes an upper horizontally oriented wall 22, a parallel, lower horizontally oriented wall 24, and opposing vertically oriented side walls 25, which extend between the outer edges of upper wall 22 and lower wall 24. Thus, the walls 22, 24, 25 define the external periphery of shelving unit 20. Walls 22, 24, 25 are joined by conventional butt joints. However, walls 22, 24, 25 could be joined by other suitable joints such as mitre joints, rabbet joints, etc.

As best shown in FIG. 2, upper wall 22 and side walls 25 have a depth (i.e. extending away from wall 12) that is substantially equal. However, lower wall 24 is relatively shallower (i.e. has a smaller depth) than upper wall 22 and side walls 25. A volume of space is therefore defined between a front end of the lower wall 24 and front ends of the upper and side walls 22, 25. The purpose of this volume of space will be described below.

As best shown in FIG. 2, shelving unit 20 includes a plurality of vertically oriented and horizontally oriented partition walls 26 a-e fixedly attached between walls 22, 24, 25. Partition walls 26 a-e assist in defining a plurality of separate and distinct compartments 28 a-e between walls 22, 24, 25. Each compartment 28 a-e can be used to carry or store various items as desired. It will be appreciated that the number of partition walls 26 and their overall arrangement can differ to that which is depicted in the figures. In some embodiments, shelving unit 20 is configured to be customisable by providing a plurality of different fixing positions for partition walls 26. For example, walls 22, 24, 25 may be provided with pre-drilled apertures in various locations, enabling fixing of partition walls 26 in various positions by suitable fasteners. In other alternatives, the partition walls 26 may have connecting portions at their ends configured to engage with complementary connecting portions in walls 22, 24, 25 (e.g. a tongue and groove connection). Such a furniture system can therefore be customised to meet either or both of a user's aesthetic and functional needs. However, it will also be appreciated that the shelving unit 20 need not be provided with any partition walls.

A substantially rectangular panel 30 is pivotally attached, via suitable hinge connections 29 to lower wall 24, enabling pivotal movement of panel 30 about a first horizontally oriented axis 39. Panel 30 includes a planar front surface 32, an opposed planar rear surface 34, an upper edge 35, a lower edge 36, and opposed side edges 38, which extend orthogonally between upper edge 35 and lower edge 36.

In the operative configuration, rear surface 34 of panel 30 acts as a desk or table top, enabling a user to work (or perform other suitable activities) at furniture system 10. Panel 30 is supported above the ground by a pair of legs 40. An upper portion 42 of each leg 40 is pivotally connected to respective side edges 38 of panel 30, adjacent the upper edge 35. Legs 40 pivot with respect to panel 30 about a second horizontally oriented axis 49. Legs 40 extend to the ground substantially orthogonal to panel 30, thereby supporting panel 30 substantially parallel with the ground. Whilst in the depicted embodiment, legs 40 are adjacent upper edge 35, it will be appreciated that legs 40 need only be situated generally towards upper edge 35 relative to lower edge 36. For example, legs 40 could be positioned about halfway between the upper edge 35 and lower edge 36.

Lower portion 44 of each leg 40 includes a foot 46, which extends rearwardly (towards wall 12) from lower portion 44 substantially orthogonal thereto. Further, feet 46 are connected by a cross-member 48, which extends between each respective leg 40. Therefore, legs 40 can be provided as a single unitary member that is pivotally connected to panel 30. Feet 46 and cross-member 48 together improve the stability of panel 30 above the ground in the operative configuration, thereby enabling panel 30 to comfortably support items placed thereon (e.g. laptops, paperwork, etc.). It will be appreciated that when legs 40 are provided as a single unitary member, the unitary member may be an assembly of parts (e.g. legs 40 and cross-member 48 may be assembled together during installation), or a single discrete manufactured member.

In the stowed configuration, panel 30 is placed in an upright position, with legs 40 positioned adjacent side edges 38 of the panel. Panel 30 is positively and securely retained in the upright position by a pair of laterally spaced straps 27, a first end of which is connected to partition wall 26 c and a second end of which is connected to front surface 32 of panel 30. These connections may be snap-fit connections, although other fastening arrangements are possible. For example, a magnet can be used (either with or without other retaining means) to retain panel 30 in the upright position. In some embodiments, the panel 30 is maintained in the upright position without requiring any positive retention.

As best shown in FIG. 1, furniture system 10 includes a second shelving unit 50 mounted to vertical wall 12, below first shelving unit 20 (shelving unit 50 is omitted for clarity in FIG. 2). As with shelving unit 20, brackets or other mounting means can be utilised to fix shelving unit 50 to wall 12 as is conventional in the art. As shown in FIG. 1, shelving unit 50 includes a lower horizontally oriented wall 54, a rear vertically oriented wall 52, a pair of vertically oriented side walls 55, a pair of vertically oriented front walls 57, and a central horizontally oriented upper wall 51, which spans between front walls 57. Partition walls 56 are provided and assist in defining a plurality of separate and distinct compartments 58. The walls of shelving unit 50 are again joined by conventional butt joints in this example.

As will be best appreciated in FIG. 1, second shelving unit 50 has a depth dimension that is less than the depth dimension of first shelving unit 20. In the illustrated embodiment, the depth of the second shelving unit 50 is substantially equal to the depth of the lower wall 24 of the first shelving unit 20. First shelving unit 20 and second shelving unit 50 are positioned in fixed relation to one another in order to accommodate the panel 30 and legs 40 as will be described in detail below. However, furniture system 10 need not include the second shelving unit 50. Alternatively the second shelving unit may be integrally formed with or joined to the first furniture unit.

In order to move the furniture system 10 from the operative configuration to the stowed configuration, the user simply pivots panel 30 about axis 39 in a first rotational direction towards wall 12, thereby placing the panel 30 in the substantially upright position. In this position, panel 30 will be disposed between side walls 25 of shelving unit 20, and lie substantially within the volume of space provided between the forward end of the lower wall 24 and the forward ends of the upper and side walls 22, 25. Thus, in the stowed configuration, panel 30 will not extend substantially (or at all) beyond the depth of shelving unit 20.

In a similar fashion, when pivoting panel 30 towards its upright position, legs 40 will pivot about axis 49 in a second rotational direction, opposite the first rotational direction, and therefore lie adjacent the sides edges 38 of the panel 30, with each leg 40 also being disposed between side walls 25 of shelving unit 20. Thus, in the stowed configuration, legs 40 will not extend substantially (or at all) beyond the depth of shelving unit 20.

In the depicted embodiment where the furniture system 10 includes second shelving unit 50, in the stowed configuration legs 40 will extend below first shelving unit 20, with the lower portions 34 of each leg 40 positioned in front of second shelving unit 50, with feet 36 extending rearwardly towards wall 12, underneath second shelving unit 50. The positioning of second shelving unit 50 in fixed relation relative to first shelving unit 20 ensures that legs 40 are correctly tucked away in the stowed configuration and do not interfere with shelving unit 50.

It will be appreciated that in order to move the furniture system 10 from the stowed configuration to the operative configuration, the user simply does the reverse of the process mentioned above, i.e. pivots panel 30 about axis 39 in the second rotational direction away from wall 12, and pivots legs 40 about axis 49 in the first rotational direction away from wall 12.

The furniture system 10 of the present invention therefore provides considerable space saving, by incorporating a table or desk top with a conventional shelving unit. When a user requires the table or desk top (such as for work), the user simply pivots panel 30 and legs 40 into the operative configuration. Once the user no longer requires the table or desk top, the user simply pivots panel 30 and legs 40 into the stowed configuration, therefore leaving only the shelving unit that consumes its wall space and overall depth. The user therefore does not need to purchase a separate table and shelving unit, which may together consume more space. Further, furniture system 10 serves multiple purposes which can also be an appealing aspect of the product. Further still, the substantially flush placement of the panel and legs with the front of the furniture system provides an aesthetic finish which enhances the overall appeal of furniture system 10.

It is noted, that first shelving unit 20 need not be provided as a unit with multiple walls or compartments. For example, the first shelving unit can in its simplest form be provided as a single, horizontally oriented shelf, on which the panel is pivotally attached. Other features may be provided that enhance the overall usefulness of furniture system 10. For example, lower wall 24 of shelving unit 20 includes cut-out portion 21, which enables passage of wiring or cables from behind or below shelving unit 20.

Reference is made to FIGS. 3-5, which illustrates a furniture system 10′. Furniture system 10′ is substantially the same as furniture system 10, save for the different configuration of the second shelving unit 50.

Furniture systems 10, 10′ are preferably manufactured from a suitable timber material. However, it will be appreciated that other suitable materials (such as metals or plastics) can be used for one or more parts of furniture systems 10, 10′.

In other embodiments, the furniture system may be of different form to furniture systems 10, 10′. The furniture system may include an ironing table that pivots from the wall-mounted portion of the system. Further example furniture systems include a mirror and dressing table combination, bedside table with drawers in combination with a minibar, and home entry shoe storage station.

It will be understood that the invention disclosed and defined in this specification extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the invention. 

1. A furniture system, including: a first furniture body portion mountable to a wall and having a depth; a panel having a first edge, an opposed second edge, and opposed side edges, the panel pivotably connected to the first furniture body portion at or adjacent the first edge; and at least two legs pivotably connected to respective side edges of the panel, at, towards or adjacent the second edge; wherein the at least two legs includes a first leg and a second leg, wherein each of the first and second legs includes a connecting portion at a first end of each respective leg configured to connect to the panel, and a foot portion extending inwardly from a second end of each respective leg substantially orthogonal thereto; wherein the foot portion of the first leg and the foot portion of the second leg are connected by a bridging portion extending therebetween; wherein, in a stowed configuration, the foot portion of each leg is located underneath the first furniture body portion; wherein, in an operative configuration, the panel extends away from the first furniture body portion and is supported above ground by the at least two legs, and, in a stowed configuration, the panel and the at least two legs are retracted towards the first furniture body portion whereby the at least two legs are positioned adjacent the side edges of the panel and the foot portion of each leg is located underneath the first furniture body portion.
 2. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein the first furniture body portion includes a pair of opposing side walls, a bottom wall and a top wall, the walls collectively defining a space configured to at least partially receive therein the panel and the at least two legs in the stowed configuration.
 3. The furniture system according to claim 2, wherein the bottom wall of the first furniture body portion has a depth less than a depth of the top wall, thereby defining a volume, which is at least a portion of the defined space, configured to receive therein the panel and each of the at least two legs.
 4. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein the panel can be pivotally connectable to the first furniture body portion by a hinged connection.
 5. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein in the operative configuration the panel extends substantially orthogonal to the wall and the legs sit perpendicular to the panel.
 6. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein in the panel is configured to form a desk top.
 7. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein, in the stowed configuration, the panel is in an upright orientation substantially parallel with the wall, and the at least two legs and the panel do not substantially extend beyond the depth of the first furniture body portion.
 8. The furniture system according to claim 7 wherein, in the stowed configuration, the at least two legs and the panel are located within a width of the first furniture body portion.
 9. The furniture system according to claim 7, wherein, in the stowed configuration, the panel and the at least two legs are positioned between the side walls of the first furniture body portion.
 10. The furniture system according to claim 1, further including a retainer configured to retain the panel in an upright orientation in the stowed configuration.
 11. The furniture system according to claim 10, wherein the retainer includes at least one strap, the at least one strap having a first end connectable to the first furniture body portion and a second end connectable to the panel.
 12. The furniture system according to claim 10, wherein the retainer includes at least one of a magnet, a pivotable latch, or press studs.
 13. The furniture system according to claim 1, further including a second furniture body portion mountable to the wall, below the first furniture body portion, wherein the second furniture body portion is in fixed relation to the first furniture body portion.
 14. The furniture system of claim 13, wherein the second furniture body portion has a depth, wherein the depth of the second furniture body portion is less than the depth of the first furniture body portion.
 15. The furniture system according to claim 13, wherein, in the stowed configuration, the at least two legs are disposed in front of the second furniture body portion and the foot portion of each of the legs are disposed underneath the second furniture body portion.
 16. The furniture system according to claim 1, wherein moving the furniture system from the operative configuration to the stowed configuration includes pivoting the panel in a first rotational direction and the legs in a second rotational direction, wherein the first and second rotational directions are different.
 17. The furniture system according to claim 16, wherein moving the furniture system from the stowed configuration to the operative configuration includes pivoting the panel in a third rotational direction and the legs in a fourth rotational direction, wherein the third and fourth rotational directions are different, and wherein the first and fourth directions are the same, and the second and third directions are the same. 